A devastating New Year’s Eve fireworks explosion in Honolulu has left a family in mourning, with one man grieving the loss of four loved ones.
Nelson Benigno was away from his home when the catastrophe unfolded, resulting in three deaths at the scene and over 20 individuals suffering critical injuries.
Local news outlets have confirmed that the final toll reached six fatalities, including Benigno’s wife, Carmelita, their 3-year-old grandson, Cassius, his sister-in-law, and his daughter-in-law.
Months after the tragic event, Benigno shared that his daughter Charmaine is still recovering from severe injuries sustained during the explosion.
Reflecting on the loss of his wife, he expressed deep sorrow, stating, “We didn’t say goodbye to each other.” He continues to have vivid dreams of her and struggles to find peace during the night.
In an obituary, Carmelita was remembered as a dedicated and loving family member.
During a news conference following the incident, Jim Ireland, the Honolulu emergency services department director, described the explosion as one of the worst emergency calls he has ever responded to, citing the overwhelming tragedy and the severity of injuries sustained by many victims.
The injuries were characterized as “burn and blast wounds” and compared to combat wounds by some first responders, highlighting the extreme nature of the event, according to ABC News.
A GoFundMe campaign initiated after the tragedy shed light on how the night began as a celebration but swiftly descended into chaos.
Rylan Benigno, a relative of the deceased, remarked that what should have been a festive evening transformed into a time of mourning and sympathy for the family.
Nelson Benigno reflected on his absence that night, stating, “If I was here I would’ve been one of them.” He mournfully noted the loss of his grandson and the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of his wife and her sister.
He urged Hawaii’s governor to take stronger measures against illegal fireworks to prevent future tragedies.
Governor Josh Green, who expressed his heartbreak over the loss of life, has taken steps to enforce stricter regulations regarding the use of illegal fireworks.
At a recent bill signing ceremony, Green stated, “So if a firework goes off and you have it illegally, and you blow somebody up, honestly you go to jail for 20 years, and no joke so don’t do it. You’re doing it to your family too, the ones you love; they will never see you again.”
The new legislation prohibits the use of illegal fireworks within a specified distance of residential areas.
In addition, any deaths or serious injuries resulting from fireworks explosions will be classified as a class A felony, signaling the seriousness with which the state is treating this public safety issue.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the families affected continue to seek healing and closure.
image source from：people
